• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2009

Objective : This study was conducted to determine an association between aortic calcification viewed on plain chest radiography and obstructive coronary artery disease. Method : Retrospective review of all chest radiography obtained from consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Chest PA images were reviewed by technical radiologist and radiologist. Considering the presence of aortic arch calcification, images were compared with the results of coronary angiography. In addition, the size of aortic arch calcification were divided into two groups - the smaller and the larger than 10 mm. Results : Among the total 846 patients, the number of the patients with obstructive coronary artery disease is total 417 (88.3%) in males and 312 (83.4%) in females. Considering the presence of aortic arch calcification, the positive predictive value of relation between aortic arch calcification and obstructive coronary artery disease was 91.4% and the relative risk of the group with aortic arch calcification to the opposite group was 1.10. According to the size of aortic arch calcification and obstructive coronary artery disease, the positive predictive value was 91.9% and the relative risk between two groups was 1.04. Conclusions : This study shows that aortic calcification was closely associated with obstructive coronary artery disease. If the aortic calcification is notified on plain chest radiography, we strongly recommend to consult with doctor.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.675-679
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• 2002

In patient with severe adhesion between lung and aorta, there is some limitation in approaching the distal arch or descending thoracic aorta through the usual left thoracotomy. We report a case of a successfully managed distal arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm through the median sternotomy without any manipulations of the lung in a 66 year old man who presented hemoptysis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1234-1237
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• 1998

Patients with aortic root disease, frequently seen in Marfan syndrome have progressive dilatation of the aortic sinuses and dilatation and distortion of the aortic annulus, leading to aortic incompetence. They are currently treated with composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve and reimplantation of the coronary arteries. Recently, we experienced an aortic root replacement with aortic valve preservation in a patient with annuloaortic ectasia. The ascending aorta and sinus was excised except the aortic annulus and aortic valve. The aortic valve was reimplanted inside of a collagen-impregnated tubular Dacron graft. The coronary arteries were also reimplanted. The patient was followed up for six months and reevaluated with the echocardiography. Postoperative Doppler echocardiography revealed normal aortic valve function. With this technique, it is possible to preserve the native aortic valve if the aortic leaflets are anatomically normal.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2008

Background: Conventional ascending aortic cross clamping is often limited. This study was carried out to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an endovascular aortic clamping technique with an intraaortic balloon catheter. Material and Method: From April 2004 to January 2007, surgery with endoaortic clamping was performed in seven patients. A retrograde access perfusion (RAP) catheter was used in six patients and a Pruitt's balloon catheter in two patients. The indication for the operation was a retrosternal pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root in six patients, diffuse calcification of the ascending aorta with aortic regurgitation in 2 patients and an atrial septal defect in one patient. Five patients had at least two prior cardiac surgeries. Result: Successful insertion of the catheter and endoaortic clamping was achieved in all patients. Conclusion: The endovascular aortic clamping technique with a balloon catheter was a useful alternative method for patients in whom conventional cardiac surgery was limited.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.921-927
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• 2003

Arterial switch operation (ASO) has been the most effective surgical option for transposition of the great arteries. But, the inappropriate dilation of the neoaortic root has been reported and its effect on neoaortic valve function and growth of aorta has not been well documented. Material and Method: Forty-eight patients who underwent cardiac catheterization during follow up after arterial switch operation were included in this study. Arterial switch operation was performed at a median age of 18 days (range 1∼211 days). Preoperative cardiac catheterization was performed in 26 patients and postoperative catheterization was performed in all patients at 15.8$\pm$9.6 months after ASO. Postoperative ratios of the diameters of neoaortic annulus, root and aortic anastomosis against the descending aorta were compared to the size of preoperative pulmonary annular, root and sinotubular junction. Preoperative and operative parameters were analyzed for the risk factors of neoaortic insufficiency. Result: There were two clinically significant neoaortic insufficiencies (grade$\geq$II/IV) during follow up, one of which required aortic valve replacement. Another patient required reoperation due to aortic stenosis on the anastomosis site. Post-operatively, neoaortic annulus/DA ratio increased from 1.33$\pm$0.28 to 1.52$\pm$.033 (p=0.01) and neoaortic root/DA ratio increased form 2.02$\pm$0.40 to 2.56$\pm$0.38 (p<0.0001). However, the aortic anastomosis/DA ratio showed no statistically significant difference (p=0.06). There was no statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of neoaortic insufficiency and neoaortic annulus/DA ratio and neoaortic root/DA ratio. Non-neonatal repair (age>30days) (p=0.02), preopeative native pulmonaic valve stenosis (p=0.01), and bisuspid pulmonic valve (p=0.03) were the risk factors for neoaortic insufficiency in univariate risk factor analysis. Conclusion: After ASO, aortic anastomosis site showed normal growth pattern proportional to the descending aorta, but neoaortic valve annulus and root were disproportionally dilated. Significant neoaortic valve insufficiency rarely developed after ASO and neoaortic annulus and root size do not correlate with the presence of postoperative neoarotic insufficiency. ASO after neonatal period, preoperative native pulmonary valve stenosis, and bicuspid native pulmonic valve are risk factors for the development of neoaortic insufficiency.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2001

배경 및 목적: Stand A형 급성대동맥박리증의 박리 시발점이 수술치환부위 내에 있는 경우와 그렇지 않은 경우의 임상적 차이점을 분석하여 치료에 도움을 주고자 하였다. 방법: 1991년 3월부터 1999년 7월까지 본원에서 급성상행대동맥박리증으로 진단되어 상행대동맥치환술을 받은 40명의 환자를 대상으로 병력기록을 근거로 수술 소견 상 찢어진 부위를 발견한 환자 27명을 1군, 발견 못한 나머지 13명을 2군으로 나누고 환자의 술 전 상태와 수술소견 및 술후 경과의 임상적 차이점을 분석하였다. 결과: 1군에서 술전에 저혈압, 대동맥판막부전, 심허혈, 신부전 등이 더 많이 발생되었다. 수술 소견 상 대동맥근부 이상은 1군에서 많았다. 가성 내강 내 혈종은 2군에서 더 많이 관찰되었지만 통계적으로 유의하지는 않았다. 술후에 2군에서는 신부전이 더 많이 발생하였고 술후 출혈로 인한 재수술은 1군에서 더 많았다. 조기 수술사망은 1군에 6명으로 사망률은 22.2%이었고 2군에는 사망 례는 없었다. 결론: 본 연구를 통하여 상행대동맥에서 내막 파열이 발견된 1군에서는 2군에 비해 술전 상태가 불량하였고 대동맥판막 병변으로 수술이 복잡해져 사망률이 높다고 생각된다. 반면 원위부 하행대동맥에서 박리가 진행되어 상행대동맥으로 이어진 2군에서는 1군에 비해 순환 장애로 인해 술후에 신부전이 더 많이 발생되었다. 결론적으로 상행대동맥내막에 파열점이 없었던 군에서 수술 예후는 상행대동맥내막에 파열점이 있는 군보다 더 좋았다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.696-703
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• 2009

Background: A Comprehensive Aortic Root and Valve Reconstruction (CARVAR) procedure is comprised of aortic root wall reconstruction and corrections of the leaflets for treating various aortic valve diseases. We evaluated our recent early clinical experience with the CARVAR procedure. Material and Method: From October 2007 to September 2008, 114 cases (66 males) of CARVAR procedures were performed, The mean patient age was 53 years (range: 14~84) The patients were divided into 4 groups: 1) the AAR group: aortic regurgitation with aortic root wall deformity such as annulo-aortic ectasia or ascending aortic aneurysm (n=18), 2) the IAR group: isolated AR with leaflet abnormality (n=42), 3) the IAS group: isolated aortic stenosis (n=51) and 4) the PAVR group: previous aortic valve replacement (n=3). Sinotubular junction (STJ) reduction was done in all the patients, leaflet correction was done in 10 of the AAR group patients and in all the patients of the other groups, annulus reduction was done in 14 of the MR group patients and in 6 of the IAR group patients. Aortic dissection was excluded from this analysis. Result: There was no mortality or follow-up death. The diameter of the aortic sinus decreased from $54.6{\pm}8.4$ mm to $38.3{\pm}3.8$ mm in the AAR group, the mean AR grade decreased from 3.2 to 0.2 in the IAR group, the mean aortic valve pressure gradient decreased from $47.1{\pm}24.4$ mmHg to $15.1{\pm}11.7$ mmHg in the IAS group and the mean AR grade decreased to 0 in the PAVR group. Balloon type coronary perfusion cannula-related coronary ostial stenosis developed in 4 patients and this was treated with OPCAB in three patients and with PTCA in one patient. Two patients developed postoperative infectious endocarditis. All the patients were discharged and followed up in a stable condition. Conclusion: The CARVAR procedure showed excellent short term results, but a good further follow up result is required to apply this procedure to most kinds of aortic valve diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.748-751
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• 2000

The diffuse form of supravalvar aortic stenosis represents a surgical challenge when the ascending aorta, aortic arch, proximal descending thoracic aorta and arch arteries are involved. It can be treated by a variety of surgical approaches. We report a case of severe diffuse supravalvar aortic stenosis combined with an aortic valve anomaly and occlusion of the right coronary artery ostium in a 14-year-old boy with Williams syndrome. We enlarged the aortic root(Nick's procedure), ascending aorta, aortic arch, proximal descending thoracic aorta, and innominate artery with patches and replaced aortic valve with 19 mm St. Jude valve. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion were used during repair of the arch and arch artery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.753-757
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• 2010

We report hereon a case of double bypass of the esophagus and descending thoracic aorta for the treatment of esophagopleural fistula and aortopleural fistula due to an infected aortic aneurysm after esophageal rupture. A 48 year old man was diagnosed as having esophageal rupture after an accidental explosion. Although he had been treated by esophageal repair and drainage at another hospital, the esophageal leakage could not be controlled and subsequent empyema developed in the left pleura. Further, bleeding from the descending thoracic aorta had developed and he was managed with endovascular stent insertion to the descending thoracic aorta. He was transferred to our hospital for corrective surgery. We performed esophago - gastrostomy via the substernal route, without exploring posterior mediastinum and we let the empyema resolve spontaneously. While he was being managed postoperatively Without any signs and symptoms of infection, sudden bleeding developed from the left pleural cavity. After evaluation for the bleeding focus, we discovered an Infected aortic aneurysm and an aortospleural fistula at the stent insertion site. We performed a second bypass procedure for the infected descending thoracic aorta from the ascending aorta to the descending abdominal aorta via the right pleural cavity. We found leakage at the distalligation site during the immediate postoperative period, and we occluded the leakage using a vascular plug. He discharged without complications and he is currently doing well without any more bleeding or other complications.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.233-237
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• 2007

A 10-month-old intact male Labrador Retriever dog was referred with the primary complaint of exercise intolerance, especially after vigorous exercise. Physical examination revealed split S1 and grade III/VI diastolic regurgitant murmur at the left apex and base, respectively. ECG finding was normal sinus rhythm at rest, but supraventricular tachycardia with bundle branch blocks after exercise. Thoracic radiography revealed dilated ascending aorta with normal range of cardiac silhouette (VHS 10.2). Echocardiography revealed abnormal valvular structures just above the aortic valvular cusps causing aortic regurgitation with a reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Based on those findings, the case was diagnosed as congenital aortic regurgitation caused by abnormal valvular structures. The dog was managed with diltiazem and exercise restriction. This is a rare case of aortic deformity in dogs.